Results

The survey addressed SMEs, training providers and individuals and received a 19% response from representatives of SMEs, 24% from representatives of training providers and 57% from individuals.

83% of SMEs confirmed the benefits to their company in the use of robots and 79% identified tasks in their companies that could be automated in the future. 90% of individual respondents think that acquiring knowledge on robotics could give them an advantage on the labour market. However, only half of them have already taken courses about the subject but 61% see that in the future their work will involve robotics and robots. This also corresponds with the answers from individual respondents in as much as only 6% have a professional level of knowledge on the topic, 63% some level and 31% no knowledge at all.

In respect of 3D printing the results show a lower involvement with the topic in general. 45% of participating SMEs are already using 3D Printing and 82% are convinced that their employees will benefit from more knowledge in the area. 94% of individuals stated they have not taken any courses in 3D Printing although 74% think that such knowledge would give them an advantage in future job seeking or at work.

In respect of training providers, 24% of the respondents offer stand-alone courses in robotics and only 5% in 3D printing. Furthermore 41% offer robotics modules within existing courses but only 30% offer 3D printing modules in existing courses. More than 73% are considering offering them in the future.

In respect of both robotics and 3D printing, all respondents would clearly welcome educational institutions providing more knowledge and training opportunities on the topics. A majority of respondents are also willing to take such courses if available for free.

Dr Paul Quantock, Coordinator and Promoter of the ROTENA project stated that “..it confirms our view that the outputs of the project will contribute to the needs of the labour market as well as the training sector by developing appropriate training modules for use by training institutions, with the expectation that they will adapt/modify modules to their required needs and add to existing training programmes…”

From these survey results it is clear that the EU funded ROTENA project will have a specific role in providing support to teachers as they guide young people to develop their skills and competencies in order to understand the principles of robotics and 3D printing and their widespread application in industry in order for them to access jobs in these new-age industrial sectors.